Improvement in harness-buckles



B. D. IESSUQ. Harness-Bucklgs. No. 147,404. Patented Febflm 1874.

www@ MMO@- Mmwmb UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICEL ERTRAND l). JESSUP, OF BALDINSVILLE, NEW' YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN HARNESS-BUCKLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 147,404, dated February 10, 1874; application filed October 1, 1873.

' To all whom 'it may concern.:

lthe hanie-tug is made to apply on the tracetug, and by its friction hold the same iu place against t-he resistance. The invention cousists in the construction and arrangement of the buckle as hereinafter described, whereby such pressure is applied centrally by the itting of the pin to which the hame-tug is attached directlyT in angular slots in the sides of the buckle-traine, and the whole arranged so that the buckle may be swung upon its center for releasing or taking up the trace.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improvement; Fig. 2, a horizontal section, showing the hame and trace tugs in place; Fig. 3, a view of the pin to which the hametug is attached.

The buckle is made of malleable iron, and in skeleton form, as usual. It consists of the side pieces A A, which constitute the frame, the ends of which are curved outward, away from the side of the horse. At-the ends are the usual cross-bars a a, and in the middle a central bearing, b. The inner face of the bearing is sunkena little below the plane of the end cross-bars, in order to allow the proper depression of the trace -tug at that point. The front cross-bar a has a tongue, c, which is inclined a little forward. The sides and rear end of the buckle have the usual loops l d d, for the attachment of the back and belly straps and breeching. In the sides of the frame aretwo inclined slots, f j', which extend forward and center toward the central bearing b. In these slots rests a pin or bolt, g, having a fixed head, h, at one end, and a threaded or riveted nut, t, at the other.

This pin passes through a loop, 7c, formed in the end ofthe hame-tug B. The trace O simply passes straight through the buckle, outside the haine-tug, but resting against the cross-bars c a and central bearing b, being also hooked over the tongue c, as shown in Fig. 2.

The operation is as follows: The straps being adjusted in place, as described, when strain is applied to the haine tug the pin g draws forward/in the inclined slots ff, and forces the loop 7toi the haine-tug in close contact with the trace O, securing 4the same against the central bearing b. Thiscontact is sufficiently stron g to hold the trace in place against the resistance, and is graduated by the amount of power applied; but as an additional security, and also to hold the trace in starting, I provide the trace with a series of holes, in the usual manner, and hook the same upon the tongue e, as before described.

I am aware that it is not new to apply the strain of the hametug as a friction-hold upon the trace, as a device has before been known in which a tug-cap has been used to draw the trace between itself and the front crosspiece a.

rlhe advantage of my improvement is, that I avoid the use ol' an extra piece, by resting the pin g directly in the inclined slots of the frame, thereby greatly simplifying the arrangement 5 and I make the frietional bearing at the center, where the contact can be made close, and without kinking or bending the leather, by which its strength is better preserved. Another important advantage is, that this central bearing allows the buckle to be swun g around, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 2, to take up or let out the trace, which is easily accomplished by slipping the pin back in the slots. This cannot be done where the frictional contact is'at the end.

The advantage of making the simple counection of the pin and the loop of the hametug, through which it passes, serve as the cam for tightening the trace, in place of an eXtra device for that purpose, is apparent.

In applying or removing the haine-tug, it is only necessary to detach the nut i and inove the pin endWise.

Having thus described my invention, I do not claim, broadly, the application of the strain or friction of the halnc-tug as a stay to hold the trace; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The side pieces A of the buckle, formed with the stationary bearing-plate b, cross-bars a,

and inclined slots f, and provided with the re movable and adjustable screw-bolt g, all constructed and arranged as herein shown, for purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

. B. D, JESSUP.

Witnesses v R. F. OsGooD, E. B. SCOTT. 

